Fraud
Fraud involves deceiving someone for personal or financial gain. Charges can be classified based on the amount involved—either fraud under $5,000 or over $5,000. Convictions often lead to having to pay back the money (restitution), fines, and possibly jail time. If the fraud involves more than $5,000, the sentence could be as long as 14 years. For fraud under $5,000, the maximum jail term is up to 2 years.
Fraud is considered a serious criminal offence, especially common in cases involving online transactions, credit card misuse, and identity theft. Because fraud often involves financial matters and complex documentation, such cases can be difficult to navigate.
Theft
Theft means taking something that doesn't belong to you, without permission. A common example is shoplifting. Many people facing theft charges are first-time offenders with no prior criminal record. Beyond legal consequences, a theft charge can carry personal consequences, such as being banned from stores or other places where the theft occurred.
Like fraud, theft is also divided based on the value of the stolen item—under or over $5,000. Theft under $5,000 carries a lighter sentence, with a maximum of 2 years in jail. However, theft over $5,000 can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Possession of Stolen Property
Having something in your possession that was stolen or gained through criminal activity is also against the law. This doesn’t only apply to the stolen item itself, but can include anything you’ve gained indirectly from it.
To be found guilty of this offence, prosecutors must prove a few things: that you had the item, it was obtained through a crime, you knew you had it, and you knew it was stolen.
The penalty depends on the value of the property and how the case is prosecuted. For possession of stolen property over $5,000, you could be charged with an indictable offence and face up to 10 years in prison. If it’s under $5,000, the maximum punishment varies—either 2 years if it’s treated as an indictable offence, or up to 6 months if it’s a summary offence.